Sen. Hagan seeks enrollment, penalty delays

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan wants the Obama administration to delay by two months the period in which individuals can sign up for health insurance through the new government website and when financial penalties begin for those remaining uninsured.

Hagan announced her appeal Thursday while calling problems with the federal exchange “absolutely unacceptable.” She said extra enrollment and penalty delays are needed to make up for lost time while the site has not been functioning.

The open enrollment began Oct. 1 and lasts until March 31. The White House says consumers who sign up through March should not face the financial penalty that was scheduled to start in mid-February.

Hagan wants to extend enrollment through May 31 and delay the penalty until after that date, too.

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